Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Leeby Captain Robert E. Lee, His Son

Chapter IXA Private Citizen

Lee's conception of the part--His influence exerted toward therestoration of Virginia--He visits old friends throughout the country--Receives offers of positions--Compares notes with the Union GeneralHunter--Longs for a country home--Finds one at "Derwent," nearCartersville

My father remained quietly in Richmond with my mother and sisters. He was now a private citizen for the first time in his life. As hehad always been a good soldier, so now he became a good citizen. Myfather's advice to all his old officers and men was to submit to theauthority of the land and to stay at home, now that their native Statesneeded them more than ever. His advice and example had great influencewith all. In a letter to Colonel Walter Taylor [his old A. A. G.],he speaks on this point:

"...I am sorry to hear that our returned soldiers cannot obtainemployment. Tell them they must all set to work, and if they cannotdo what they prefer, do what they can. Virginia wants all their aid,all their support, and the presence of all her sons to sustain andrecuperate her. They must therefore put themselves in a position totake part in her government, and not be deterred by obstacles in theirway. There is much to be done which they only can do...."

And in a letter, a month later, to an officer asking his opinion abouta decree of the Emperor of
Mexico encouraging the emigration fromthe South to that country:

"...I do not know how far their emigration to another land will conduceto their prosperity. Although prospects may not now be cheering, Ihave entertained the opinion that, unless prevented by circumstancesor necessity, it would be better for them and the country if theyremained at their homes and shared the fate of their respectiveStates...."

Again, in a letter to Governor Letcher [the "War Governor" of Virginia]:

"...The duty of its citizens, then, appears to me too plain to admitof doubt. All should unite in honest efforts to obliterate the effectsof the war and to restore the blessing of peace. They should remain,if possible, in the country; promote harmony and good feeling, qualifythemselves to vote and elect to the State and general legislatureswise and patriotic men, who will devote their abilities to the interestsof the country and the healing of all dissensions. I have invariablyrecommended this course since the cessation of hostilities, and haveendeavoured to practise it myself...."

Also in a letter of still later date, to Captain Josiah Tatnall, ofthe Confederate States Navy, he thus emphasises the same sentiment:

"...I believe it to be the duty of every one to unite in the restorationof the country and the reestablishment of peace and harmony. Theseconsiderations governed be in the counsels I gave to others, andinduced me on the 13th of June to make application to be included inthe terms of the amnesty proclamation...."

These letters and many more show plainly his conception of what wasright for all to do at this time. I have heard him repeatedly givesimilar advice to relatives and friends and to strangers who soughtit. The following letters to General Grant and to
President Johnsonshow how he gave to the people of the South an example of quietsubmission to the government of the country:

"Richmond, Virginia, June 13, 1865.

"Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, Commanding the

"Armies of the United States.

"General: Upon reading the President's proclamation of the 29th ult.,I came to Richmond to ascertain what was proper or required of me todo, when I learned that, with others, the was to be indicted for treasonby the grand jury at
Norfolk. I had supposed that the officers andmen of the Army of Northern Virginia were, by the terms of theirsurrender, protected by the United States Government from molestationso long as they conformed to its conditions. I am ready to meet anycharges that may be preferred against me, and do not wish to avoidtrail; but, if I am correct as to the protection granted by my parole,and am not to be prosecuted, I desire to comply with the provisionof the President's proclamation, and, therefore, inclose the requiredapplication, which I request, in that event, may be acted on. I amwith great respect,

"Sir: Being excluded from the provisions of the amnesty and pardoncontained in the proclamation of the 29th ult., I hereby apply forthe benefits and full restoration of all rights as privileges extendedto those included in its terms. I graduated at the Military Academyat West Point in June, 1829; resigned from the United States Army,April,
1861; was a general in the Confederate Army, and included inthe surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, April 9, 1865. Ihave the honour to be, very respectfully,

"Your obedient servant, R. E. Lee."

Of this latter letter, my brother, Custis Lee, writes me:

"When General Lee requested me to make a copy of this letter, heremarked it was but right for him to set an example of making a formalsubmission to the civil authorities, and that he thought, by do doing,he might possibly be in a better position to be of use to theConfederates who were not protected by military paroles, especiallyMr. Davis"

"...He (General Lee) set to work to use his great influence to reconcilethe people of the South to the hard consequences of their defeat, toinspire them with hope, to lead them to accept, freely and frankly,the government that had been established by the result of the war,and thus relieve them from the military rule.... The advice and exampleof General Lee did more to incline the scale in favour of a frank andmanly adoption of that course of conduct which tended to the restorationof peace and harmony than all the Federal garrisons in all the militarydistricts."

My father was at this time anxious to secure for himself and familya house somewhere in the country. He had always had a desire to bethe owner of a small farm, where he could end his days in peace andquiet. The life in Richmond was not suited to him. He wanted quietand rest, but could not get it there, for people were too attentiveto him. So in the first days of June he mounted old Traveller and,unattended, rode down to "Pampatike"--some twenty-five miles--to paya visit of several days to his relations there. This is an old Carterproperty, belonging then and now to Colonel Thomas H. Carter, who, butlately returned from Appomattox Court House, was living there with hiswife and children. Colonel Carter, whose father was a first cousinof General Lee's, entered the Army of Northern Virginia in the springof 1861, as captain of the "King William Battery," rose grade by gradeby his skill and gallantry, and surrendered in the spring of 1865, asColonel and Chief of Artillery of his corps at that time. He washighly esteemed and much beloved by my father, and our families hadbeen intimate for a long time.

"Pampatike" is a large, old-fashioned plantation, lying along thePamunkey River, between the Piping Tree and New Castle ferries. Partof the house is very old, and, from time to time, as more rooms wereneeded, additions have been made, giving the whole a very quaint andpicturesque appearance. At the old-fashioned dinner hour of threeo'clock, my father, mounted on Traveller, unannounced, unexpected, andalone, rode up to the door. The horse and rider were at once recognisedby Colonel Carter, and he was gladly welcomed by his kinsfolk. I amsure the days passed here were the happiest he had spent for many years.He was very weary of town, of the incessant unrest incident to hisposition, of the crowds of persons of all sorts and conditions strivingto see him; so one can imagine the joy of master and horse when, aftera hot ride of over twenty miles, they reached this quiet resting-place.My father, Colonel Carter tells me, enjoyed every moment of his stay.There were three children in the house, the two youngest little girlsof five and three years old. These were his special delight, and hefollowed them around, talking baby-talk to them and getting them totalk to him. Every morning before he was up they went into his room,at his special request, to pay him a visit. Another great pleasurewas to watch Traveller enjoy himself. He had him turned out on thelawn, where the June grass was very fine, abundant, and at its prime,and would allow no cord to be fed to him, saying he had had plentyof that during the last four years, and that the grass and the libertywere what he needed. He talked to Colonel Carter much about Mexico,its people and climate; also about the old families living in thatneighbourhood and elsewhere in the State, with whom both ColonelCarter and himself were connected; but he said very little about therecent war, and only in answer to some direct question.

About six miles from "Pampatike," on the same river and close to itsbanks, is "Chericoke," another old Virginia homestead, which hadbelonged to the Braxtons for generations, and, at that time, was thehome of Corbin Braxton's widow. General Lee was invited to dine there,and to meet him my brother, cousin, and I, from the White House, wereasked, besides General Rosser, who was staying in the neighbourhood,and several others. This old Virginia house had long been noted forits lavish hospitality and bountiful table. Mrs. Braxton had neverrealised that the war should make any change in this respect, andher table was still spread in those days of desolation as it had beenbefore the war, when there was plenty in the land. So we sat down toa repast composed of all the good things for which that country wasfamous. John and I did not seem to think there was too much in sight--at any rate, it did not daunt us, and we did our best to lessen thequantity, consuming, I think, our share and more! We had been forso many years in the habit of being hungry that it was not strangewe continued to be so awhile yet. But my father took a different viewof the abundance displayed, and, during his drive back, said to ColonelCarter:

"Thomas, there was enough dinner to-day for twenty people. All thiswill now have to be changed; you cannot afford it; we shall have topractise economy."

In talking with Colonel Carter about the situation of farmers at thattime in the South, and of their prospects for the future, he urgedhim to get rid of the negroes left on the farm--some ninety-odd innumber, principally women and children, with a few old men--sayingthe government would provide for them, and advised him to secure whitelabour. The Colonel told him he had to use, for immediate needs, suchforce as he had, being unable at that time to get whites. WhereuponGeneral Lee remarked:

"I have always observed that wherever you find the negro, everythingis going down around him, and wherever you find a white man, you seeeverything around him improving."

He was thinking strongly of taking a house in the country for himselfand family, and asked the Colonel whether he could not suggest somepart of the State that might suit him. Colonel Carter mentioned ClarkeCounty as representing the natural-grass section of Virginia, andGloucester County the salt-water. My father unhesitatingly pronouncedin favour of the grass-growing country. He told Mrs. Carter how pleasedhe was to hear that she had received her husband in tears when hereturned from the surrender, as showing the true spirit, for, thoughglad to see him, she wept because he could fight no more for the cause.The day after this dinner he had to turn his back on those dear friendsand their sweet home.

When Traveller was brought up to the door for him to mount, he walkedall around him, looking carefully at the horse, saddle, and bridle.Apparently the blanket was not arranged to suit him, for he held thebridle while "Uncle Henry" took off the saddle. Then he took offthe blanket himself, spread it out on the grass, and, folding it tosuit his own idea of fitness, carefully placed it on Traveller's back,and superintended closely the putting on and girthing of the saddle.This being done, he bade everybody good-bye, and, mounting his horse,rode away homeward--to Richmond. After crossing the Pamunkey atNewcastle ferry, he rode into "Ingleside," about a mile from the river,the lovely home of Mrs. Mary Braxton. Here he dismounted and paid hisrespects to the mistress of the house and her daughters, who were alsocousins. That afternoon he reached Richmond, returning by the sameroad he had travelled coming out. After his visit, which he hadenjoyed so much, he began looking about more than ever to find a countryhome.

The house he was occupying in Richmond belonged to Mr. John Stewart,of "Brook Hill," who was noted for his devotion to the cause of theSouth and his kindness to all those who had suffered in the conflict.My brother Custis had rented it at the time he was appointed on Mr.Davis's staff. A mess had been established there by my brother andseveral other officers on duty in Richmond. In time, my mother andsister had been made members of it, and it had been the headquartersof all of the family during the war, when in town. My father wasdesirous of making some settlement with his landlord for its longuse, but before he could take the final steps my mother received thefollowing note from Mr. Stewart:

"...I am not presuming on your good opinion, when I feel that you willbelieve me, first, that you and yours are heartily welcome to the houseas long as your convenience leads you to stay in Richmond; and, next,that you owe me nothing, but, if you insist on paying, that the paymentmust be in Confederate currency, for which along it was rented to yourson. You do not know how much gratification it is, and will affordme and my whole family during the remainder of our lives, to reflectthat we have been brought into contact, and to know and to appreciateyou and all that are dear to you."

My father had been offered, since the surrender, houses lands, andmoney, as well as positions as president of business associationsand chartered corporations.

"An English nobleman," Long says, "desired him to accept a mansion andan estate commensurate with his individual merits and the greatnessof an historic family."

He replied: "I am deeply grateful; I cannot desert my native State inthe hour of her adversity. I must abide her fortunes, and share herfate."

Until his death, he was constantly in receipt of such offers, all ofwhich he thought proper to decline. He wrote to General Long:

"I am looking for some little, quiet home in the woods, where I canprocure shelter and my daily bread, if permitted by the victor. Iwish to get Mrs. Lee out of the city as soon as practical."

It so happened that nearly exactly what he was looking for was justthen offered to him. Mrs. Elizabeth Randolph Cocke, of CumberlandCounty, a granddaughter of Edmund Randolph, had on her estate a smallcottage which, with the land attached, she placed at his disposal.The retired situation of this little home, and the cordial way inwhich Mrs. Cocke insisted on his coming, induced my father to accepther invitation.

"My mother, whose sympathies for everybody and everything connectedwith our cause were the greatest and most enlarged of any one I everknew, thought it might be agreeable and acceptable to General Lee tohave a retired placed in which to rest. Having this little houseunoccupied, she invited him to accept it as a home as long as he mightfind it pleasant to himself. The General came up with your motherand sisters about the last of June, General Custis Lee having precededthem a day or two on Traveller. At that time our mode of travel wason the canal by horse-packet: leaving Richmond at a little beforesunset, the boat reached Pemberton, our landing, about sunrise.General Custis and I went down to meet them, and we all reached homein time for breakfast. That night on the boat the Captain had hadthe most comfortable bed put up that he could command, which was offeredto your father. But he preferred to sleep on deck, which he did, withhis military cloak thrown over him. No doubt that was the last nighthe ever spent under the open sky. After a week spent here, GeneralLee removed, with his family, to "Derwent." There he spent severalmonths of quiet and rest, only interrupted by the calls of those whocame in all honesty and sincerity to pay their respects to him. Oldsoldiers, citizens, men and women, all came without parade or ceremony.During this time he rode on Traveller daily, taking sometimes longtrips--once I recall, going to his brother's, Mr. Carter Lee's, abouttwenty miles, and at another time to Bremo, about thirty miles. Duringthe month of August he was visited by Judge Brockenborough, ofLexington, who, as Rector of the Board of Trustees of WashingtonCollege, tendered him, on behalf of the Board, the presidency of thecollege. After considering the matter for several weeks, he decidedto accept this position.

"...During that summer he was a regular attendant at the variouschurches in our neighbourhood, whenever there was a service. I neverheard your father discuss public matters at all, nor did he expresshis opinion of public men. On one occasion, I did hear him condemnwith great severity the
Secretary of War, Stanton. This was at thetime Mrs. Surratt was condemned and executed. At another time I heardhim speak harshly of General Hunter, who had written to him to get hisapproval of his movements, during the Valley Campaign, against GeneralEarly. With these exceptions, I never heard him speak of public menor measures."

In this connection I quote the Rev. J. Wm. Jones in his "PersonalReminiscences of General Robert E. Lee":

"Not long after the close of the war, General Lee received a letterfrom General David Hunger, of the Federal Army, in which he beggedinformation on two points:

"1. His (Hunter's) campaign in the summer of 1864 was undertaken oninformation received at the War Department in Washington that GeneralLee was about to detach forty thousand picked troops to send GeneralJohnston. Did not his (Hunter's) movements prevent this, and relieveSherman to that extent?

"2. When he (Hunter) found it necessary to retreat from beforeLynchburg, did not he adopt the most feasible line of retreat?

"General Lee wrote a very courteous reply, in which he said:

"'The information upon which your campaign was undertaken was erroneous.I had NO TROOPS to spare General Johnston and no intention of sendinghim any--CERTAINLY NOT FORTY THOUSAND, AS THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN ABOUTALL I HAD.

"'As to the second point--I would say that I am not advised as to themotives which induced you to adopt the line of retreat which you took,and am not, perhaps competent to judge of the question, BUT I CERTAINLYEXPECTED YOU TO RETREAT BY WAY OF THE
SHENANDOAH VALLEY [the emphasisis Dr. Jones's], and was gratified at the time that you preferred theroute through the mountains of the Ohio--leaving the valley open forGeneral Early's advance into Maryland.'"

Before leaving Richmond, my father wrote the following letter toColonel Ordway, then Provost Marshal:

"Richmond, Virginia, June 21, 1865.

"Lt.-Col. Albert Ordway, Provost Marshal, Department of Virginia.

"Colonel: I propose establishing my family next week in CumberlandCounty, Virginia, near Cartersville, on the James River canal. Onannouncing my intention to General Patrick, when he was on duty inRichmond, he stated that no passport for the purpose was necessary.Should there have been any change in the orders of the Departmentrendering passports necessary, I request that I may be furnishedwith them. My son, G. W. Custis Lee, a paroled prisoner with myself,will accompany me. Very respectfully your obedient servant,

"R. E. Lee."

The latter part of June, my father, mother, brother Custis, and sisterswent to "Derwent," the name of the little place which was to be hishome for that summer. They went by canal-boat from Richmond toCartersville, and then had a drive of about six miles. Mrs. Cockelived at "Oakland," two miles away, and her generous heart was madeglad by the opportunity of supplying my father and his family withevery comfort that it was possible to get at the time. In his lettersto me, still at the White House busy with our corn, he gives adescription of the surroundings:

"...We are all well, and established in a comfortable but small house,in a grove of oaks, belonging to Mr. Thomas Cocke [Mrs. Cocke's eldestson]. It contains four rooms, and there is a house in the yard whichwhen fitted up will give us another. Only your mother, Agnes, andMildred are with me. Custis, who has had a return of his attack...isat Mrs. Cocke's house, about two miles off--is convalescent, I hope.I have been nowhere as yet. The weather has been excessively hot,but this morning there is an agreeable change, with some rain. Thecountry here is poor but healthy, and we are at a long distance fromyou all. I can do nothing until I learn what decision in my case ismade in Washington. All unite with me in much love.

"Very truly, your father,

"R. E. Lee."

The "case" referred to here was the indictment in June by a grandjury in Norfolk, Virginia, of Mr. Davis, General Lee, and others,for treason or something like it.

The Hon. Reverdy Johnson offered his professional services to myfather in this case, but there was no trial, as a letter from GeneralGrant to the authorities insisted that the parole given by him to theofficers and soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia should berespected. The following letter explains itself:

"Near Cartersville, Virginia, July 27, 1865.

"Hon. Reverdy Johnson, Baltimore, Md.

"My Dear Sir: I very much regret that I did not see you on your recentvisit to Richmond, that I might have thanked you for the interest youhave shown in my behalf, and you great kindness in offering me yourprofessional services in the indictment which I now understand ispending against me. I am very glad, however, that you had anopportunity of reading a copy of General Grant's letter of the 20thinst. to me, which I left with Mr. Macfarland for that purpose, andalso that he might show it to other officers of the Army of NorthernVirginia in my condition. I did not wish to give it greater publicitywithout the assent of General Grant, supposing that, if he desired itmade public, he would take steps to have it done. Should he consentto your request to have it published, I, of course, have no objection.But should he not, I request that you only use it in the manner I haveabove indicated. Again offering you my warmest thanks for your sympathyand consideration for my welfare, I am, with great respect,

"Your obedient Servant,

"R. E. Lee."

In another letter to me he tells of his visit to his brother CharlesCarter Lee in Powhatan County, which was an easy ride from "Derwent."He was very fond of making these little excursion, and Traveller,that summer, was in constant use:

"Near Cartersville, July 22, 1865.

"My Dear Rob: I have just returned from a visit to your Uncle Carter,and, among my letters, find one from some of your comrades to you,which I inclose. I was happy to discover from the direction that itwas intended for you and not for me. I find Agnes quite sick, andhave sent for the doctor, as I do not know what to do for her. Poorlittle thing! she seems quite prostrated. Custis, I am told, isbetter. He is still at Mrs. Cocke's. The rest of us are well. Isaw several of your comrades, Cockes, Kennons and Gilliams, who inquiredafter you all. Give my love to F. and Johnny, in which all here unite,and believe me most truly and affectionately

"Your father, R. E. Lee.

"Robert E. Lee."

In another letter he gives an account of a trip that he and Travellerhad taken across the river into Albemarle County:

"Near Cartersville, August 21, 1865.

"My Dear Bertus: I received only a few days ago your letter of the12th. I am very sorry to hear of your afflictions, but hope you haveshaken off all of them. You must keep your eyes open, you preciousboy, and not run against noxious vines and fevers. I have just returnedfrom a visit to Fluvanna. I rode up the gray and extended myperegrinations into Albemarle, but no further than the Green Mountainneighbourhood. I made short rides, stopping every evening with somefriend, and had a very pleasant time. I commended you to all the youngladies on the road, but did not know I was extolling a poisoned beau!You must go up and see Miss Francis Galt. Tell Fitzhugh I wrote tohim before I went away. I am glad to hear that your corn is so fine,and that you are making preparations to put in a good crop of wheat.I wish I had a little farm somewhere, to be at work too. Custis ispaying a visit to his friend, Captain Watkins, in Powhatan. He cameup for him last Saturday, and bore him off. He has got quite wellnow, and I hope will continue so. Agnes is also well, though stillfeeble and thin. Your mother, Life, and myself as usual. We havenot heard for some time from daughter. A report has reached us ofher being at Mr. Burwell's. Miss Mary Cocke and her brother Johnpaid us a short visit from Saturday to Monday, and several of ourneighbors have been over to spend the day. We have a quiet time,which is delightful to me, but I fear not so exhilarating to thegirls. I missed Uncle Carter's visit. He and his Robert rode up ona pair of colts while I was in Fluvanna, and spent several days. Iwish we were nearer you boys. I want to see you very much, but donot know when that can be. I hope Johnny is well. I have heardnothing from his father since we parted in Richmond, but hear thatFitz has gone to see his mother. All here send their best love toyou, and I pray that every happiness may attend you.

"Your devoted father,

"R. E. Lee.

"Robert E. Lee."

"Bertus" was a contraction of Robertus, my father's pet name for meas a child. My afflictions were "poison-oak," chills, and fever.The letter to my brother Fitzhugh, here referred to, I also give:

"Near Cartersville, Cumberland County, Virginia, July 29, 1865.

"My Dear Fitzhugh: I was very glad to receive, by the last packetfrom Richmond, your letter of the 22d. We had all been quite anxiousto hear from you, and were much gratified to learn that you were allwell, and doing well. It is very cheering to me to hear of your goodprospects for corn and your cheerful prospects for the future. Godgrant they may be realised, which, I am sure, they will be, if youwill unite sound judgement to your usual energy in your operations.As to the indictments, I hope you, at last, may not be prosecuted. Isee no other reason for it than for prosecuting ALL who ever engagedin the war. I think, however, we may expect procrastination in measuresof relief, denunciatory threats, etc. We must be patient, and let themtake their course. As soon as I can ascertain their intention towardme, if not prevented, I shall endeavour to procure some humble, butquiet, abode for your mother and sisters, where I hope they can behappy. As I before said, I want to get in some grass country, wherethe natural product of the land will do much for my subsistence....Our neighbours are very kind, and do everything in the world to promoteour comfort. If Agnes is well enough, I propose to ride up to 'Bremo'next week. I wish I was near enough to see you. Give much love toRob and Johnny, the Carters and Braxtons. All here unite in love andbest wishes for you all.

"Most affectionately, your father,

"R. E. Lee."

Site Copyright 2003-2014 Son of the
South.
For Questions or comments about this collection,